The Case of The Series Five DVD

The Case of The Series Five DVD

As you may know we really love 'Sergeant Cork', but it has been a while since we watched a new (well, new to us) episode as we had stalled after watching 'The Case of Albert Watson V.C.' which although being a very good story was also a very dark one.

Looking at the next story 'The Case of The Painted Boat' which featured in the synopsis the ominous words 'baby farming' we decided to stop watching and go on to something more cheery.

Having seen 'Round The Archives' writer Martin Holmes watching and enjoying 'Cork' and having rediscovered the DVD we decided to knuckle down and finally watch the episode.

And I have to say that I'm glad that we did as it wasn't nearly as bad as I feared it would be. Although the subject matter was uncomfortable to watch, it was done in a much lighter way than the previous episode, which was actually shown several months earlier.

It featured a very good performance by Harold Goldblatt as the eccentric Ebenezer Webster and a chilling turn by Avis Bunnage as the villanous Charlotte Dawson with the excellent John Junkin as her bargee husband Jacko. Although it's not a barge, it's a narrow-boat, as Harold Goldblatt is keen to point out.

This story gives John Barrie the chance to vent his fury as Sergeant Cork when he discovers what is going on and the fate of some of the children that they have had in their 'care'.

And then is even a shot of two babies dressed in Victorian clothing in a drawer, which remided us of Carole's offspring in the drawer in 'The Brittas Empire'.

Having enjoyed that episode very much and seeing that the next episode on the disc featured an appearance by Queen Victoria we decided to continue.

'The Case Of The Simple Savage' is a very strange story that features a Maori King and brillantly for the 1960s he is played by an actual Maori actor, Inia Te Wiata, who is marvellous in the part and also featured in an episode of 'The Worker' with Charlie Drake.

In common with some other episodes, Sergeant Cork is not really in it very much . I suppose John Barrie must have been on a well earned holiday, but when he arrives back he helps to solve the whole case.

It is nice to see William Gaunt as Bob Marriott given the chance to shine and take on most of the dectecting duties. And Charles Morgan as Superintendent Rodway is given a fair bit to do also.

We are aiming to finish off the disc tonight and watch 'The Case of The Hooded Students', but we have another set to watch after this, so much more 'Sergeant Cork' to be enjoyed.

We did a video on the two 'Sergeant Cork' episodes we watched, which can be seen here.

(Written by Lisa Parker)